National Park Service Arlington House U.S. Department of the Interior The Robert E. Lee Memorial The Spectacle

From the Office Down the Hall

Some questions seem to have no answer. When Colleen Curry transferred from the Arlington House Curator to become the Curator for Yellowstone (I cannot imagine why, who’s ever heard of that place; sure she no longer has to deal with traffic jams, but the Bison can really wreck havoc on her commute now!) I did not know how we could possibly replace her. But then again, some questions do have an answer. And this was a good one!

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new, Arlington House Curator, Mary Troy. Some of you undoubtedly already know her from her work as Curator at Clara Barton and Glen Echo National Historical Sites, but Mary brings a much more Arlington House in winter - February 19, 2003 extensive and interesting set of skills and experience to bear than just her most recent presidents to women to war to iron to sand assignment. to pirates and Russians. Given that VIP training to experience, I felt she could handle issues Prior to Clara Barton’s Mary was an surrounding Robert E. Lee with aplomb, be held archaeologist with the Northeast Cultural and just might be able to tackle the likes of Resources Center in Lowell, MA; a our dear, Parke Custis. Volunteer training will be held on Sunday, National Park Service support office. Mary February 29, and Sunday, March 21, 10:00 am also detailed as museum curator at Initially, Mary will be splitting some of her to 2:00 pm. Attendance at one of the two Assateague Island National Seashore in time covering the huge hole she will be sessions is essential for new volunteers. Berlin, MD from 1998 to 2000. Her other leaving behind at Clara Barton. Otherwise, Experienced volunteers may also attend. National Park Service assignments included look for her when you volunteer next and Training will cover site guidelines and working on archaeological, curatorial, introduce yourself; Mary is a wonderful procedures as well as themes and methods of natural resource, and archival projects in addition to our Arlington House family! If interpretation. A complete guided tour of the the Northeast Region as well as in a variety you have never seen the collections, ask house and grounds will also be included. of other National Park areas including her for a tour. Please bring a bag lunch. Contact Acadia, Adams, Women’s Rights, Delphine Gross at (703) 235-1530 est. 227 to Gettysburg, Saugus Iron Works, Cape Cod Kendell Thompson confirm which day you can attend. National Seashore, Statue of Liberty, Home Site Manager of Franklin Roosevelt, The Vanderbilt Arlington House Mansion, Assateague Island, Canyonlands, The Robert E. Lee Memorial Saint Croix Island, Washington’s Birthplace, Sitka and Jean Lafitte—barnacles to ......

Volunteer’s Monthly Newsletter - Volume V, Number 2 - February 2004 Significant Historic Events in February

February 3, 1774 Washington’s birth. He painted a heroic provided the North make concessions, and John “Jack” Parke Custis and Eleanor portrait of the General watching the as long as the general government did not use “Nelly” Calvert were married at Mount Airy, cannonade at the Battle of Trenton which force against a Commonwealth attempting to the bride’s home near Upper Marlborough, was used to decorate the Union Hotel in secede. The convention proceeded to study Maryland. Georgetown. He marched in an Alexandria the situation and consider possibilities for parade and spoke to the Washington Society compromise. The first vote on adopting an February 1, 1778 at Christ Church. ordinance of secession was not taken until George Washington recommended that his April 4, when it was defeated 88-45. ward, Jack Custis, buy land at once to offset February 27, 1841 the wartime depreciation of currency. Jack Eleanor Agnes Lee, the fifth child of Robert February 22, 1861 then set out to buy the Alexander track, and Mary Lee, was born at Arlington House. President Buchanan called off the customary which eventually became Arlington estate. Washington Day parade “for fear some The transaction was not fully accomplished February 10, 1846 untoward incident might occur.” until December 1778. Mildred Childe Lee, the seventh child and fourth daughter of Robert and Mary Lee, The celebrated the day privately at February 21, 1825 was born at Arlington House. She was Arlington with some of their friends, The “National Intelligencer” summarized a named for Lee’s youngest sister, Catharine including two of Rooney’s from speech made by GWP Custis at the annual Mildred Lee, who had married Edward Massachusetts, Henry and Charles Francis meeting of the American Colonization Vernon Childe, and lived with him in Paris. Adams. Adams would later recall that “there Society in which Custis “mourned the must have been fully half-a-dozen future existence of slavery to the South” and February 16, 1858 generals and colonels about the Arlington “rejoiced that there was, at length, a ground In a gesture which deeply touched his father, table that day.” of hope that it will one day be removed.” Custis Lee had a deed drawn which would have transferred his own interest in President-elect Lincoln quietly left February 5, 1826 Arlington to Robert E. Lee. “I trust Pa will Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and slipped into George Hadfield, the architect of Arlington not refuse to receive my interest in Arlington, Washington early the next morning so as to House, died in Washington City at the age of for my sake, if not for his own,” Custis wrote avoid possible difficulty in pro-Southern 62. His obituary in the “National to his Mother. “I can never have any interest Baltimore. Intelligencer” included “Mr. Custis’ House” separate from my dear Father and Mother.” in a list of buildings Mr. Hadfield designed in Lee refused the offer because he felt “it February 8, 1862 the Washington area. would not be right” for him to accept such a General Lee received orders to assume the gift. duties of General-in-Chief of the Armies of February 22, 1732 the Confederate States. George Washington was born at Pope’s February 10, 1860 Creek, Northern Neck, Westmoreland Lee left Arlington at 6 a.m. to take command February 14, 1864 County, Virginia. at San Antonio, Texas, which would be his Mrs. Lee suggested that General Lee add last assignment in military service to the their son, Robert, Jr., to his staff. Lee replied February 22, 1830 United States. On March 10, he wrote to his that “his company would be a great pleasure In “The Birthnight,” published by GWP wife, “It was very sad to leave you & my & comfort to me & he would be extremely Custis in his “Recollections of Washington,” departure grows harder to bear with years.” useful to me in various ways. I have written Custis told how the custom of celebrating to him to that effect. But I am opposed to Washington’s birthday with balls had February 1, 1861 officers surrounding themselves with their originated, emphasizing that Washington had Texas, where Lieutenant Colonel Lee was sons and relatives. It is wrong in principle & always approved of and enjoyed such stationed at the time, seceded from the in that case the selection of offices would be “rational and elegant pleasures of life” and Union. made from private & social relations, rather was “partial to the amusements of the than for the public good...I should prefer theatre.” February 13, 1861 Rob’s being in the line, in an independent The Virginia secession convention convened position, where he could rise by his own February 22, 1832 in Richmond. There were 152 delegates merit & not through the recommendation of GWP Custis participated in many local chosen by public vote. The majority of his relatives.” celebrations of the Centennial of delegates desired to preserve the Union (continued on page 3)

2 The Spectacle Area Special Events

February 7 opening of a Civil War exhibit. Free with $5 Living history, “Confederate Surgeon,” at the admission. 410-461-1945 or www.ecbo.org. National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland. 11 am-3 pm. Free with February 19 admission. Lecture, “USS Monitor: An Undertaking 301-695-1864 or www.civilwarmed.org Below the Waterline,” challenges of the recovery and conservation of the ironclad’s February 14 wreck. Talk at the USS Constellation in The Walking tour, “Path to Freedom - Frederick Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland. 7 pm. Douglas Walking Tour,” begins at noon at the $12 at door, $10 advance. 410-539-1797 or James A. Fields House, 617 27th St, Newport Baltimore Civil War Museum at the President www.constellation.org. News, Virginia. 2-5 pm. $3 adults. 757-245- Street Station, Baltimore, Maryland. Free 1991. with museum admission. www.mdhs.org or February 20-22 410-461-9377. Living history encampment and Special program, “Love Letters: A Civil War commemoration of the “Last Confederate Romance,” historical drama at Lee Hall in February 14-15 Capital” at Danville at the Danville Museum Newport News, Virginia. 2 pm. $15 adults. Living history, “Freedom Won,” talk with of Fine Arts and History (Sutherlin 757-888-3371 or www.leehall.org. African-American soldiers who fought Mansion). 10 am-4 pm each day. Sunday during the Civil War at Endview Plantation in lecture (2 pm) on Civil War medicine. Free. February 21-22 Newport News, Virginia. Free with Details: www.danvillemuseum.org or call Living history, “Freedom Won,” talk with admission. www.endview.org or 757-887- 434-793-5644. African-American soldiers who fought 1862. during the war at Endview Plantation in February 21 Newport News, Virginia. Free with Living history at the Ellicott City B&O Living history, “Introduction to the Signal admission. 757-887-1862 or Railroad Station Museum in Ellicott City, Corps,” at the National Museum of Civil War www.endview.org. Maryland. Demonstrations highlight the Medicine in Frederick, Maryland. 11 am-3 pm. Free with admission. 301-695-1864 or February 28 www.civilwarmed.org. Slide discussion, topic is the Shaw Memorial (54th Massachusetts Infantry in Washington, National Park Service Living history, “African-American Men & DC) at Museum in Alexandria. Women of Valor” highlights African- Commemorates the black infantry unit American contributions during the 1862 featured in the movie “Glory.” 1 pm. $5. Peninsula Campaign. The event is set for the Reservations suggested. 703-838-4848. Arlington House was the home of Robert E. Lee and his family for thirty years and is uniquely associated with the Washington and Custis families. It is now preserved as a memorial to General Lee, who gained the respect of Americans in both the North and the South. Significant Historic

Arlington House Events in February AN IMPORTANT The Robert E. Lee Memorial (continued) c/o George Washington Memorial Parkway REMINDER Turkey Run Park McLean, VA 22101 February 18, 1913 Please contact Delphine Gross no later than the GW Custis Lee died at , near 20th of each month with availability dates and Phone times to be posted the following month (Please 703-235-1530 Annandale, Fairfax County, Virginia. He had call by February 20th with March information). retired as President of Washington and Lee Even if you are a regularly scheduled VIP please Web Site College in 1897, and had spent his remaining contact Delphine to confirm your availability. http://www.nps.gov/arho years at Ravensworth making architectural Again, the contact number is (703) 235-1530 ext. 227. Please leave the dates and times you The National Park Service cares for the drawings, doing gardening and enjoying a are available on the voice mail. Your special places saved by the American people quiet, more secluded lifestyle. cooperation is greatly appreciated. so that all may experience our heritage.

The Spectacle 3 RECIPE OF THE MONTH ...... Guided tours WARM SPRINGS MUFFINS for February

Mary Custis, the eldest Lee daughter, visited Virginia’s Warm Springs (“the Warm”) before the war, Arlington House will be offering daily guided during it, and afterward, in 1868, when Mildred contracted typhoid fever and prolonged the family’s tours in recognition of Black History Month. stay. During one of her visits, she took down this receipt for lovely, light muffins; it makes about 24, The tours will focus on the African-Ameri- each 2 to 2½, inches across. The milk to be added in winter was needed to counteract the drying can history of the site and will be presented effect of cold air on flour; now modern borne heating makes it unnecessary. The “skillet with a top” suggests they could also be baked in a fireplace, but we were not equipped to try. every afternoon at 2:00 through the end of February. The tours will be organized as first To a quart of flour put 2 eggs, a spoonful of butter, 2 ½ spoonfuls of yeast, and in winter some come-first served though reservations may milk. Add a little salt. Put into greased muffin tins or baking cups. Allow to rise overnight. be made by contacting the site at the main Bake them in an oven or a skillet with a top. number (703) 235-1530.

4 c. sifted flour, plus enough to make a soft dough The guided tours for February will kick off a 2 eggs new initiative in which regular guided tours 1 T. butter plus more for greasing baking tins and top of dough of the house will be offered to the general 2 ½ T. homemade yeast public. Those tours will encompass all as- ½ t. or more salt pects of the site’s history. If any of you would like to lead tours please contact Sift salt with flour. Beat eggs well, add yeast and butter, melted and cooled. Mix into flour to Delphine Gross so that you can be prepared

make a soft dough. Raise overnight, covered, tops greased, in greased baking cups or muffin and scheduled for that...... tins. Bake tins about 20 minutes in preheated 575-degree oven, longer in cold cast-iron or larger earthenware cups. New Look for (From Anne Carter Zimmer’s The Robert E. Lee Family Cooking and Housekeeping Book) The Spectacle

This is now the fifth issue of The Spectacle utilizing the new format. This change was made for a number of reasons. The format follows the standards now established for NPS newsletters and uses the approved fonts (typeface). The fonts are smaller and we hope that this is not causing difficulty with reading the print. The smaller fonts and use of columns allows more material per page thereby reducing the number of pages per issue. This format also saves us mailing the newsletter in large envelopes, saving the cost of envelopes and reducing postage costs. You’ll have noticed that the mailing address is printed on the last page of the newsletter.

If you have comments please feel free to ...... share them with us.

South Slave Quarters and Arlington House

4 The Spectacle February 2004 Arlington House VIP Calendar Syunday Myonda Tyuesda Wyednesda Tyhursda Fyrida Saturda 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jim Pearson Fred Hoffman Fred Hoffman Jack McKay C. Needham Joan Cashell 12:00-4:30 1:00-4:00 1:00-4:00 9:30-12:30 and Elaine Street 9:30-12:30 10:30-12:30

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Robyn Vai Fred Hoffman Elene Paul Jack McKay C. Needham Joan Cashell Nona Wartella 10:30-4:00 1:00-4:00 12:30-4:30 9:30-12:30 and Elaine Street 9:30-12:30 12:00-4:00 10:30-12:30 Jim Pearson Fred Hoffman Anne Cake 12:00-4:30 1:00-4:00 12:00-3:00

Elene Paul 10:00-3:00 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Jim Pearson Judy Volonoski Fred Hoffman Jack McKay C. Needham Joan Cashell 12:00-4:30 10:00-12:00 1:00-4:00 9:30-12:30 10:30-12:30 9:30-12:30

Fred Hoffman Anne Cake 1:00-4:00 12:00-3:00

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Jim Pearson Fred Hoffman Fred Hoffman Jack McKay C. Needham Joan Cashell Vanna Lewis 12:00-4:30 1:00-4:00 1:00-4:00 9:30-12:30 and Elaine Street 9:30-12:30 10:00-4:30 10:30-12:30 Training 6hrs X 2 Anne Cake Walter and Phyllis 12:00-3:00

29 Jim Pearson 12:00-4:30

If you are available to volunteer, but are not on the calendar please call Delphine so you can be added to the schedule.

The Spectacle 5 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Arlington House The Robert E. Lee Memorial c/o George Washington Memorial Parkway Turkey Run Park McLean, VA 22101

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EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™

Volunteers Needed The Spectacle is a monthly newsletter for the volunteers of Arlington House, The Robert E. The roster of active volunteers is in dire need of additional names!!! If you know anyone interested in Lee Memorial. joining our ranks please refer them to Delphine Gross, Volunteer Coordinator 703 235-1530 ext. 227.

Editor Delphine Gross

Supervisory Park Ranger Frank Cucurullo

Contributors Kendell Thompson Delphine Gross Keith Drews

NPS Photographers Keith Drews

Comments? Write to: Kendell Thompson, Site Manager Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial c/o George Washington Memorial Parkway Turkey Run Park McLean, VA 22101

6 The Spectacle